You Can Use Apple Pay Outside U.S. Today, But There Is A Catch

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users can use Apple Pay to make purchases not just in the U.S. but also internationally. If Apple Pay is supported by your credit / debit card that is U.S. bank issued, you will be able to make purchases at any retail store around the world, that accepts contactless payments.

It was made clear by Apple that Apple Pay will only work in the U.S. through the iPhone 6 / 6 Plus, running on iOS 8.1. Given the NFC chip found in the two devices, we were told that users can make payments at any store that accepts contactless payments, as long as they are in the U.S.

While Apple is partnering up with credit / debit card companies, banks and retailers to make sure Apple Pay works smoothly across the country, it turns out, international users of iPhone 6 / 6 Plus with supported U.S credit cards, can also take advantage of Apple Pay.

A blogger from Australia, Beau Giles reports that with the launch of iOS 8.1, Apple Pay is working in the land down-under, provided the user has access to the right credit card. A card that is issued by a supported credit card company or bank, in the U.S.. Apparently the trick is to change the region of your phone to U.S., since that is where Apple Pay is currently supported. This will now allow users to see and set up Apple Pay in the Passbook app. Apple Pay is hidden for all devices set to regions other than the U.S.

Users in U.A.E., Dubai seem to have had a successful go at it as well, with @AaronHSL of MasterCard, having successfully made payment for a cup of Starbucks’ coffee at its contactless payment terminal. However, paying for coffee using an international credit card is not the most rational thing to do, given the currency conversion fee that will be charged, but hey, it works!

At the iOS 8.1 launch, Apple announced that it had partnered with over 500 banks that will be joining the party in some time. Currently, Apple Pay is supported by American Express, Bank of America, Capital One Bank, Chase, Citi and Wells Fargo. It is said that Barclaycard, Navy Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, USAA and U.S. Bank will be supporting Apple Pay very soon.